JVC launches two (pairs) of new home theater projectors - DLA-RS10 and DLA-HD350, and DLA-RS20 and DLA-HD750

JVC has been busy on the home theater projector side. Once again, they have launched, essentially two new models, but since they have two divisions - Pro and Consumer, each “real” new home theater projector, has two versions. For the most part, the differences between the Pro and Consumer versions seems to be strictly cosmetic.

What we have here, on the lower end is the DLA-RS10 home theater projector (Pro group), and it’s twin, the DLA-HD350 coming from JVC’s Consumer group. Up the food chain, and you find the DLA-RS20, and matching DLA-HD350.

According to JVC, these projectors aren’t (at least immediately) going to replace the existing DLA-RS1 and DLA-RS2 (or their consumer counterparts. That does tend to make things a bit murky, but it definitely looks like the new projectors have some advantages.

Before I get into individual models, let’s look at what all four new JVC projectors have in common:

• A new 16 element lens with 2:1 zoom ratio (same 2:1 range as the older RS1 and RS2)
• Customized gamma control - the lack of the ability to customize gamma, was always something I’ve missed on the RS1.
• All have superb range in terms of lens shift both vertical (80%) and horizontal (34%), for easy placement. Lens shift is now motorized
• All support HDMI 1.3 with Deep Color and CEC
• Image processing - already good on the older projectors now uses the Silicon Optics Reon-VX
• All four, are supposed to be available this November (you never can tell, until they ship)
• All have a screen trigger - this can be used to control a motorized screen, or a masking system, or alternately can be used to control the motorized sled for an anamorphic lens.
• And all four support an anamorphic lens, without needing an outboard (expensive) processor
• JVC has moved the inputs and output panel to the side, as opposed to being on the back on the older projectors - more on this below.
• These models are brighter than their older equivalents - RS10 vs. RS1, RS20 vs. RS2, etc.

Let’s start with the DLA-RS10. Read the rest of this entry »

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HD-DVD Surrenders to Blu-Ray

In my last commentary shortly after the CES show last month, I (like many) declared Blu-ray the winner in the battle with HD-DVD. It now looks pretty official, thanks to Toshiba’s new announcement.According to articles appearing all over the internet, Toshiba announced yesterday (Feb. 18), that they would stop making and marketing HD-DVD players.This announcement followed another major blow to HD-DVD, when Wal-Mart announced last week that they would no longer offer HD-DVD players  AND HD-DVD movies, by June of this year.Toshiba announced they would continue to provide support and service to existing HD-DVD player owners. Hmm, I do believe I can hear the “fat lady singing”.   OK, all you home theater people without hi-def players, it’s time.  While the difference between standard DVD’s and Blu-ray, in overall picture quality isn’t as great as between standard TV and HDTV, it’s still a rather dramatic.   It’s time to bite the bullet, get a Blu-ray player and really enjoy the potential of true hi-def. -art

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